JP7512599B2 - Method for manufacturing three-dimensional object and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object and an information processing device.

Regarding a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for moving a nozzle that extrudes a modeling material according to a build path for constructing each layer of the three-dimensional object. The build path includes a peripheral path, a bulk cluster path, and a remaining path. The peripheral path is a path for forming a boundary between the three-dimensional object and the outside, and the bulk cluster path is a path that fills the area surrounded by the peripheral path. The remaining path is a path that fills the void area that cannot be filled by the peripheral path and the bulk cluster path.

JP 2009-525207 A

As with the technology described above, the porosity within a three-dimensional object can be reduced by filling void areas with residual paths. However, residual paths may also be added to void areas that do not need to be filled, such as void areas that are negligibly small. This can result in a prolonged process for filling the void areas.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided, which manufactures a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage. The method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a first step of acquiring shape data representing the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object, a second step of generating first intermediate data using the acquired shape data, the first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material and discharge amount information representing the discharge amount of the modeling material on the path, a third step of generating second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so that the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, and identifying a gap region between the regions where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data, a fourth step of generating modeling data by modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the identified gap region, and a fifth step of modeling the three-dimensional object according to the modeling data.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device that generates modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage. This information processing device includes a data generating unit that generates the modeling data using shape data that represents the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object, and the data generating unit uses the shape data to generate first intermediate data having path information that represents a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material and discharge amount information that represents the discharge amount of the modeling material on the path, modifies the first intermediate data to generate second intermediate data so that the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, identifies a gap region between the regions where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data, and modifies the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the identified gap region to generate the modeling data.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a flat screw. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process of forming a three-dimensional object. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of a modeling data generating process. FIG. 11 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of first intermediate data according to the first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of the first intermediate data according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of change to second intermediate data in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of second intermediate data according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of modeling data according to the first embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of a three-dimensional modeling process. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of change to second intermediate data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of second intermediate data according to the second embodiment; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the first intermediate data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the second intermediate data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of first intermediate data according to the third embodiment; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of change to second intermediate data in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of second intermediate data according to the third embodiment;

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a three-dimensional printing system 100 in the first embodiment. The three-dimensional printing system 100 includes a three-dimensional printing device 110 and an information processing device 120. FIG. 1 shows arrows indicating mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. The X and Y directions are parallel to a horizontal plane, and the Z direction is opposite to the direction of gravity. The arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions are also shown in other figures as appropriate so that the illustrated directions correspond to those in FIG. 1. In the following description, when specifying a direction, positive and negative signs are used in combination to indicate the direction, with the positive direction indicated by the arrow being "+" and the negative direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow being "-".

The three-dimensional modeling device 110 in this embodiment includes a modeling unit 200, a stage 300, a moving unit 400, and a control unit 500. The modeling unit 200 has a nozzle 61. Under the control of the control unit 500, the three-dimensional modeling device 110 ejects modeling material from the nozzle 61 while changing the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the stage 300, thereby stacking layers of the modeling material on the stage 300 to form a three-dimensional object of a desired shape. The modeling material is sometimes called a molten material.

The modeling unit 200 includes a material supply unit 20, which is a supply source of the material MR, a plasticization unit 30, which plasticizes the material MR to turn it into modeling material, and a discharge unit 60, which has the nozzle 61 described above. "Plasticization" means that heat is applied to a material having thermoplasticity to melt it. "Melting" does not only mean that a material having thermoplasticity is heated to a temperature above its melting point to become liquid, but also means that a material having thermoplasticity is heated to a temperature above its glass transition point to soften and develop fluidity.

The material supply unit 20 supplies the material MR to the plasticization unit 30 to generate the modeling material. In this embodiment, ABS resin formed into pellets is used as the material MR. In this embodiment, the material supply unit 20 is configured as a hopper that contains the material MR. Below the material supply unit 20, a supply path 22 is provided that connects the material supply unit 20 and the plasticization unit 30. The material MR contained in the material supply unit 20 is supplied to the plasticization unit 30 via the supply path 22.

The plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes the material MR supplied from the material supply unit 20 to produce a modeling material, which is then supplied to the discharge unit 60. The plasticizing unit 30 includes a screw case 31, a drive motor 32, a flat screw 40, a barrel 50, and a heating unit 58. The screw case 31 is a housing that houses the flat screw 40. The barrel 50 is fixed to the lower end of the screw case 31, and the flat screw 40 is housed in the space surrounded by the screw case 31 and the barrel 50.

The flat screw 40 has a generally cylindrical shape with its height along the central axis RX smaller than its diameter. The flat screw 40 is arranged in the screw case 31 so that the central axis RX is parallel to the Z direction. The top surface 41 side of the flat screw 40 is connected to the drive motor 32, and the flat screw 40 rotates around the central axis RX in the screw case 31 by the torque generated by the drive motor 32. The flat screw 40 has a groove forming surface 42 on the opposite side to the top surface 41, on which a groove portion 45 is formed. The barrel 50 has a screw facing surface 52 facing the groove forming surface 42 of the flat screw 40. A through hole 56 communicating with the discharge section 60 is provided in the center of the screw facing surface 52.

2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the flat screw 40. In FIG. 2, the flat screw 40 is shown upside down from FIG. 1 in order to facilitate understanding of the technology. In FIG. 2, the position of the central axis RX of the flat screw 40 is shown by a dashed line. The central portion 47 of the groove forming surface 42 of the flat screw 40 is configured as a recess to which one end of the groove portion 45 is connected. The central portion 47 faces the through hole 56 of the barrel 50 shown in FIG. 1. The central portion 47 intersects with the central axis RX. In this embodiment, the groove portion 45 extends in a spiral shape so as to draw an arc from the central portion 47 toward the outer periphery of the flat screw 40. The groove portion 45 may be configured in an involute curve shape or may be configured to extend in a spiral shape. The groove forming surface 42 is provided with a convex rib portion 46 that constitutes the side wall portion of the groove portion 45 and extends along each groove portion 45. The groove portion 45 is continuous to the material inlet 44 formed on the side surface 43 of the flat screw 40. This material inlet 44 is a portion that receives the material MR supplied through the supply path 22 of the material supply unit 20. The material MR introduced into the groove portion 45 from the material inlet 44 is transported through the groove portion 45 toward the center portion 47 by the rotation of the flat screw 40.

Figure 2 shows a flat screw 40 having three grooves 45 and three ridges 46. The number of grooves 45 and ridges 46 on the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may have only one groove 45, or two or more grooves 45. Any number of ridges 46 may be provided to match the number of grooves 45. Figure 2 shows a flat screw 40 in which three material inlets 44 are formed. The position of the material inlets 44 on the flat screw 40 is not limited to three. The flat screw 40 may have only one material inlet 44, or two or more material inlets.

Figure 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the barrel 50. As described above, a through hole 56 that communicates with the discharge portion 60 is formed in the center of the screw-facing surface 52. A plurality of guide grooves 54 are formed around the through hole 56 in the screw-facing surface 52. One end of each guide groove 54 is connected to the through hole 56, and extends in a spiral shape from the through hole 56 toward the outer periphery of the screw-facing surface 52. Each guide groove 54 has the function of guiding the molding material to the through hole 56. Note that the screw-facing surface 52 does not necessarily need to have a guide groove 54.

As shown in FIG. 1, a heating section 58 for heating the material MR is embedded in the barrel 50. The heating section 58 may not be embedded in the barrel 50, but may be disposed, for example, below the barrel 50. In this embodiment, the heating section 58 is configured by a heater that generates heat when supplied with power. The temperature of the heating section 58 is controlled by the control section 500. The material MR transported through the groove section 45 is plasticized by shearing caused by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the heat from the heating section 58, and becomes a paste-like modeling material. The modeling material is supplied to the discharge section 60 from the through hole 56.

The discharge unit 60 discharges the modeling material supplied from the plasticization unit 30. The discharge unit 60 includes a nozzle 61, a flow path 65, and an opening/closing mechanism 70. The nozzle 61 is provided at the lower end of the discharge unit 60. The lower end of the nozzle 61 is provided with a nozzle hole 62 for discharging the modeling material. In this embodiment, the nozzle 61 is provided with a nozzle hole 62 having a circular opening shape. The opening shape of the nozzle hole 62 is not limited to a circle, and may be, for example, an ellipse or a polygon such as a rectangle. The flow path 65 communicates with the through hole 56 of the barrel 50 and the nozzle hole 62, and the modeling material flows from the through hole 56 toward the nozzle hole 62. The modeling material that flows through the flow path 65 is discharged from the nozzle hole 62.

The opening and closing mechanism 70 opens and closes the flow path 65 to control the ejection of the modeling material from the nozzle 61. In this embodiment, the opening and closing mechanism 70 is configured with a butterfly valve. The opening and closing mechanism 70 includes a drive shaft 72, which is an axial member, a valve body 73 that opens and closes the flow path 65 in response to the rotation of the drive shaft 72, and a valve drive unit 74 that rotates the drive shaft 72.

The drive shaft 72 is attached midway through the flow channel 65 so as to intersect with the flow direction of the modeling material. In this embodiment, the drive shaft 72 is attached so as to be parallel to the Y direction, which is perpendicular to the flow direction of the modeling material in the flow channel 65. The drive shaft 72 is rotatable about a central axis aligned along the Y direction.

The valve body 73 is a plate-like member that rotates within the flow path 65. In this embodiment, the valve body 73 is formed by processing the portion of the drive shaft 72 that is disposed within the flow path 65 into a plate shape. The shape of the valve body 73 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the plate surface is approximately the same as the opening shape of the flow path 65 at the portion where the valve body 73 is disposed.

The valve drive unit 74 rotates the drive shaft 72 under the control of the control unit 500. The valve drive unit 74 is configured, for example, by a stepping motor. The rotation of the drive shaft 72 rotates the valve body 73 within the flow path 65.

When the valve driving unit 74 holds the plate surface of the valve body 73 perpendicular to the direction in which the modeling material flows in the flow path 65, the supply of modeling material from the flow path 65 to the nozzle 61 is cut off, and the discharge of modeling material from the nozzle 61 is stopped. When the valve driving unit 74 rotates the drive shaft 72 and holds the plate surface of the valve body 73 at an acute angle to the direction in which the modeling material flows in the flow path 65, the supply of modeling material from the flow path 65 to the nozzle 61 is started, and the nozzle 61 discharges the modeling material in an amount corresponding to the rotation angle of the valve body 73. As shown in FIG. 1, when the valve driving unit 74 holds the plate surface of the valve body 73 parallel to the direction in which the modeling material flows in the flow path 65, the flow path resistance of the flow path 65 is at its lowest. In this state, the amount of modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61 per unit time is maximized. In this way, the opening and closing mechanism 70 can switch the discharge of modeling material ON/OFF and adjust the amount of modeling material discharged.

The stage 300 has a modeling surface 310 facing the nozzle 61. A three-dimensional object is modeled on the modeling surface 310. In this embodiment, the modeling surface 310 is arranged parallel to the horizontal direction. The stage 300 is supported by a moving unit 400.

The moving unit 400 changes the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the modeling surface 310. In this embodiment, the moving unit 400 changes the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the modeling surface 310 by moving the stage 300. In this embodiment, the moving unit 400 is configured as a three-axis positioner that moves the stage 300 in three axial directions, the X, Y, and Z directions, by the power generated by three motors. Each motor is driven under the control of the control unit 500. The moving unit 400 may be configured to change the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the modeling surface 310 by moving the modeling unit 200 without moving the stage 300. The moving unit 400 may also be configured to change the relative position between the nozzle 61 and the modeling surface 310 by moving both the stage 300 and the modeling unit 200.

The control unit 500 is configured by a computer equipped with one or more processors, a main memory device, and an input/output interface that inputs and outputs signals from and to the outside. In this embodiment, the control unit 500 performs various functions by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded onto the main memory device. The control unit 500 controls the operation of the modeling unit 200 and the moving unit 400 in accordance with the modeling data generated by the information processing device 120, and models a three-dimensional object on the stage 300. The operation includes changing the three-dimensional relative positions of the modeling unit 200 and the stage 300. Note that the control unit 500 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits rather than a computer.

The information processing device 120 is connected to the control unit 500 of the three-dimensional modeling device 110. The information processing device 120 is configured by a computer equipped with one or more processors, a main memory device, and an input/output interface for inputting and outputting signals from and to the outside. The information processing device 120 performs various functions in addition to the function as the data generation unit 121 by the processor executing programs and instructions loaded onto the main memory device. Note that the information processing device 120 may be configured by a combination of multiple circuits rather than a computer.

The data generation unit 121 generates modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object by the three-dimensional modeling device 110. The data generation unit 121 generates modeling data using shape data that represents the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object. Data in STL format, AMF format, or the like created using three-dimensional CAD software, three-dimensional CG software, or the like is used as the shape data. The modeling data includes path information that represents the ejection path of the modeling material, and discharge amount information that represents the amount of modeling material ejected from the nozzle 61. The ejection path of the modeling material refers to the path along which the nozzle 61 moves relatively along the modeling surface 310 of the stage 300 while ejecting the modeling material.

The discharge path is composed of multiple partial paths. Each partial path is a linear path. Discharge amount information is individually associated with each partial path. In this embodiment, the discharge amount represented in the discharge amount information is the amount of modeling material discharged per unit time in that partial path. Note that in other embodiments, the discharge amount represented in the discharge amount information may be the total amount of modeling material discharged in the entire partial path.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of how a three-dimensional object OB is formed by the three-dimensional modeling device 110. As described above, in the three-dimensional modeling device 110, the plasticizing unit 30 plasticizes the solid-state material MR supplied to the groove portion 45 of the rotating flat screw 40 to generate the modeling material MM. The control unit 500 ejects the modeling material MM from the nozzle 61 while changing the position of the nozzle 61 relative to the modeling surface 310 while maintaining the distance between the modeling surface 310 of the stage 300 and the nozzle 61. The modeling material MM ejected from the nozzle 61 is deposited linearly along the ejection path along which the nozzle 61 moves.

The control unit 500 repeatedly ejects the modeling material MM from the nozzle 61 to form layers ML. After forming one layer ML, the control unit 500 moves the position of the nozzle 61 in the +Z direction relative to the modeling surface 310. Then, the three-dimensional object OB is formed by stacking further layers ML on top of the layers ML that have been formed so far.

For example, the control unit 500 may temporarily suspend the discharge of the modeling material from the nozzle 61 when the nozzle 61 is moved in the +Z direction relative to the modeling surface 310 after completing the formation of one layer ML, or when there is a discontinuous discharge path in each layer. In this case, the control unit 500 stops the discharge of the modeling material MM from the nozzle 61 by closing the flow path 65 with the valve body 73 of the opening/closing mechanism 70. After changing the position of the nozzle 61, the control unit 500 resumes the deposition of the modeling material MM from the changed position of the nozzle 61 by opening the flow path 65 with the valve body 73 of the opening/closing mechanism 70. According to the three-dimensional modeling device 110, the opening/closing mechanism 70 can easily control the deposition position of the modeling material MM by the nozzle 61.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of the modeling data generation process executed by the data generation unit 121 of the information processing device 120. This process is a process for generating modeling data to be used in modeling a three-dimensional object prior to the modeling of the three-dimensional object. This process is started by the information processing device 120 when a predetermined start command is supplied to the information processing device 120.

First, in step S110, the data generation unit 121 acquires shape data representing the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object. The data generation unit 121 acquires the shape data, for example, from a computer connected to the information processing device 120 or a recording medium such as a USB memory. Next, in step S120, the data generation unit 121 analyzes the acquired shape data and slices the three-dimensional object represented in the shape data into multiple layers on a surface parallel to the XY plane to generate layer data. The layer data represents the contour line of the three-dimensional object on that surface. The area within the layer that is surrounded by the contour line of the three-dimensional object is called the printing area.

In step S130, the data generation unit 121 analyzes the layer data to generate first intermediate data. Each layer of the three-dimensional object is composed of a shell portion and an infill portion. The shell portion is a portion along the contour line and affects the appearance of the three-dimensional object. The infill portion is a portion inside the shell portion and is a portion for ensuring the strength of the three-dimensional object. The first intermediate data includes path information and discharge amount information for forming the shell portion, and path information and discharge amount information for forming the infill portion. The data generation unit 121 first generates path information and discharge amount information for forming the shell portion so that the shell portion is formed with a predetermined pattern of discharge path, a predetermined thickness, and a predetermined line width, and then generates path information and discharge amount information for forming the infill portion so that the infill portion is formed with a predetermined pattern of discharge path, a predetermined thickness, and a predetermined line width, thereby generating the first intermediate data. The line width means the width of the forming material deposited linearly along the discharge path. The area within the printing area where the shell portion is printed is called the shell area, and the area within the printing area excluding the shell area is called the infill area.

FIG. 6 is a first explanatory diagram showing an example of the first intermediate data MD1. FIG. 7 is a second explanatory diagram showing an example of the first intermediate data MD1. FIG. 6 shows an example of the first intermediate data MD1 in which the ejection path Ps for forming the shell part is shown in the printing region RZ surrounded by the rectangular contour line LC. In FIG. 6, the region in which the printing material is deposited along the ejection path Ps for forming the shell part is hatched. In this example, the shell part is printed with a predetermined reference line width. The ejection path Ps for forming the shell part is generated so that the outer periphery of the shell part is in contact with the contour line LC. The ejection path Ps for forming the shell part is generated so that it goes around the inside of the contour line LC. The ejection path Ps for forming the shell part is configured by connecting the partial path Ps1, the partial path Ps2, the partial path Ps3, and the partial path Ps4 in this order. Each of the partial paths Ps1 to Ps4 extends linearly from the start point Ss1 to Ss4 to the end point Es1 to Es4. Each of the partial paths Ps1 to Ps4 extends linearly along the contour line LC. In this example, a rectangular infill region RI is formed inside the shell region RS in which the shell portion is formed. The discharge path Ps for forming the shell portion represented in the first intermediate data may have one more partial path inside each of the partial paths Ps1 to Ps4 described above. The shell portion may be formed with a line width different from the reference line width.

Figure 7 shows an example of the first intermediate data MD1 in which the discharge path Pi for forming the infill portion is shown in the infill area RI shown in Figure 6. In Figure 7, the area where the modeling material is deposited along the discharge path Pi for forming the infill portion is hatched. In this example, the infill portion is formed with a reference line width. The discharge path Pi for forming the infill portion is generated in an S-shaped meandering pattern. The discharge path Pi for forming the infill portion is generated so as to gradually extend toward the -Y direction while traveling back and forth parallel to the long side between the short side on the -X direction side and the short side on the +X direction side of the rectangular infill area RI. The discharge path Pi for forming the infill portion is configured by connecting partial paths Pi1, Pi2, Pi3, Pi4, Pi5, Pi6, and Pi7 in this order. Each of the partial paths Pi1 to Pi7 extends in a straight line from a corresponding start point Si1 to Si7 to an end point Ei1 to Ei7. Each of the start points Si1 to Si7 and end points Ei1 to Ei7 of each of the partial paths Pi1 to Pi7 is generated with a gap of half the reference line width from the outer edge of the infill region RI. Each of the partial paths Pi1, Pi3, Pi5, and Pi7 extending parallel to the long side of the infill region RI is generated with a gap of the reference line width between them. No partial paths are generated in the area on the -Y direction side of the area where the modeling material is deposited along the partial path Pi7, because the width of that area is narrower than the reference line width.

Gap regions may be formed within the infill region. A gap region refers to a region within the infill region excluding the region where the modeling material is deposited. In other words, the gap region is a region sandwiched between a region where the modeling material is deposited to form a shell portion and a region where the modeling material is deposited to form an infill portion, or a region sandwiched between a region where the modeling material is deposited to form an infill portion and a region where the modeling material is deposited to form an infill portion. In the example shown in Figure 7, four gap regions RV1 to RV4 are formed within the infill region RI. Note that gap regions are also sometimes called void regions.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S140, the data generation unit 121 generates second intermediate data by modifying at least one of the path information and the discharge amount information represented in the first intermediate data so as to increase the amount of modeling material deposited along the discharge path. In this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 generates second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so as to increase the amount of modeling material deposited along each partial path for modeling the infill portion.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of the change from the first intermediate data MD1 to the second intermediate data MD2 in this embodiment. The upper side of FIG. 8 shows an area where the modeling material is deposited along the partial path when the path information and the discharge amount information represented in the first intermediate data MD1 are followed. The lower side of FIG. 8 shows an area where the modeling material is deposited along the partial path when the path information and the discharge amount information represented in the second intermediate data MD2 are followed. In this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 increases the length of the partial path for forming the infill portion without changing the orientation of the partial path, the thickness of the deposited modeling material, and the line width W1 of the deposited modeling material. The data generation unit 121 increases the length of the partial path by changing the positions of the start point and end point of the partial path so that the start point side of the partial path is extended by half the length of the line width W1 and the end point side of the partial path is extended by half the length of the line width W1. Furthermore, the data generation unit 121 may add a partial path with a length of half the line width W1 to the starting point side of the partial path, and may also add a partial path with a length of half the line width W1 to the end point side of the partial path, without changing the positions of the starting point and end point of the partial path.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the second intermediate data MD2. Figure 9 shows how the ejection path Pi for forming the infill portion shown in Figure 7 has been changed. As shown in Figure 9, in the second intermediate data MD2, the length of each partial path Pi1 to Pi7 represented in the second intermediate data MD2 is made longer than the length of each partial path Pi1 to Pi7 represented in the first intermediate data MD1, thereby removing the gap regions RV1 to RV3 shown in Figure 7 and reducing the range of the gap region RV4.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S150, the data generation unit 121 executes a gap area identification process. In the gap area identification process, the data generation unit 121 analyzes the second intermediate data to identify a gap area formed within the infill area. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the gap area RV4 is identified by the gap area identification process.

In step S160, the data generating unit 121 generates modeling data using the first intermediate data. When a gap area is identified by the gap area identification process, the data generating unit 121 generates modeling data by changing at least one of the path information and the discharge amount information represented in the first intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in at least a part of the identified gap area. The data generating unit 121 determines the area in the identified gap area where the modeling material is deposited, for example, according to a predetermined porosity. On the other hand, when a gap area is not identified by the gap area identification process, the data generating unit 121 generates modeling data without changing the path information and the discharge amount information represented in the first intermediate data. The data generating unit 121 may generate modeling data using the second intermediate data.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the modeling data ZD. In this embodiment, when a gap region is identified by the gap region identification process, the data generation unit 121 adds an ejection path so that the modeling material is deposited in at least a part of the identified gap region. FIG. 10 shows the modeling data ZD to which the ejection path Pi8 is added so that the modeling material is deposited in the gap region RV4 shown in FIG. 9. The data generation unit 121 may generate modeling data by increasing the line width of the partial path Pi7 closest to the gap region RV4 of the ejection path Pi for forming the infill portion so that the modeling material is deposited in at least a part of the identified gap region RV4. The data generation unit 121 may generate modeling data by increasing the line width of the partial path Ps3 closest to the gap region RV4 of the ejection path Ps for forming the shell portion shown in FIG. 6 so that the modeling material is deposited in at least a part of the identified gap region RV4.

In step S170, the data generating unit 121 determines whether or not the modeling data has been generated for all layers. If it is not determined in step S170 that the modeling data has been generated for all layers, the data generating unit 121 returns to step S130 and repeats the processes from step S130 to step S160 for the other layers to generate modeling data for the other layers, and executes the process of step S170 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S170 that the modeling data has been generated for all layers, the data generating unit 121 ends this process. Note that step S110 in the modeling data generation process described above is also referred to as the first step in the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, step S130 is also referred to as the second step in the method, steps S140 and S150 are also referred to as the third step in the method, and step S160 is also referred to as the fourth step in the method.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the three-dimensional printing process executed by the control unit 500. The three-dimensional printing process shown in Fig. 11 is a process executed by the control unit 500 using the printing data generated in the printing data generation process shown in Fig. 5. By executing the printing data generation process shown in Fig. 5 and the three-dimensional printing process shown in Fig. 11, a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by the three-dimensional printing system 100 is realized.

In step S210, the control unit 500 reads the modeling data for one of the layers constituting the three-dimensional object. In this embodiment, the control unit 500 first reads the modeling data for the layer that is located at the bottom in the direction of gravity among the layers constituting the three-dimensional object.

In step S220, the control unit 500 executes a shell forming process. In the shell forming process, the control unit 500 controls the forming unit 200 and the moving unit 400 according to the path information for forming the shell part and the discharge amount information associated with the path information, which are included in the loaded forming data, to form a shell part for the current layer.

In step S230, the control unit 500 executes an infill modeling process. In the infill modeling process, the control unit 500 controls the modeling unit 200 and the moving unit 400 according to the path information for modeling the infill part and the discharge amount information associated with the path information, which are included in the loaded modeling data, to form an infill part for the current layer.

In step S240, the control unit 500 determines whether or not the modeling of all layers has been completed. If the modeling of all layers has not been completed, the control unit 500 repeats the processes from step S210 to step S230 for the next layer, i.e., the layer adjacent to the current layer on the upper side in the direction of gravity. In step S220, the control unit 500 controls the moving unit 400 to raise the position of the nozzle 61 by one layer from the stage 300 prior to the ejection of the modeling material from the nozzle 61. When the modeling of all layers has been completed, the control unit 500 ends the three-dimensional modeling process. Note that steps S220 and S230 in the above-mentioned three-dimensional modeling process are also referred to as the fifth step in the manufacturing method of a three-dimensional object.

According to the three-dimensional printing system 100 in the present embodiment described above, the data generation unit 121 of the information processing device 120 generates first intermediate data using shape data in the printing data generation process, and generates second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so that the total amount of the printing material deposited along each partial path when the nozzle 61 is discharged according to the second intermediate data is greater than the total amount of the printing material deposited along each partial path when the nozzle 61 is discharged according to the first intermediate data. Therefore, the number and area of the gap regions represented in the second intermediate data can be reduced compared to the number and area of the gap regions represented in the first intermediate data. The data generation unit 121 identifies the gap region using the second intermediate data from which minute gap regions that do not need to be filled have been removed, so that the process from identifying the gap region to generating the printing data can be efficiently performed. Therefore, the process for filling the gap region can be prevented from being prolonged. In particular, in this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 makes the length of each partial path represented by the second intermediate data longer than the length of each partial path represented by the first intermediate data, thereby making the total amount of modeling material deposited along each partial path when the modeling material is ejected from the nozzle 61 according to the second intermediate data greater than the total amount of modeling material deposited along each partial path when the modeling material is ejected from the nozzle 61 according to the first intermediate data. This makes it possible to reduce the number and area of gap regions formed at the ends of each partial path.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 500 of the three-dimensional printing device 110 executes the three-dimensional printing process using the printing data generated by the above-mentioned printing data generation process, so that the three-dimensional object can be efficiently printed without filling minute gap areas that do not affect the strength of the three-dimensional object. This also prevents the three-dimensional printing process from taking a long time.

In addition, in this embodiment, by adding a discharge path to the modeling data, the modeling material can be deposited in the identified gap area. This makes it possible to reduce the porosity of the three-dimensional object being modeled while preventing the process for filling the gap area from taking too long.

In this embodiment, pellet-shaped ABS resin is used as the material MR, but the material MR used in the modeling unit 200 can also be a material that uses various materials, such as a thermoplastic material, a metal material, or a ceramic material, as the main material to model a three-dimensional object. Here, the "main material" refers to the material that is the core of the shape of the three-dimensional object and that accounts for 50% or more by weight in the three-dimensional object. The modeling materials mentioned above include those main materials that are melted alone, and those in which some of the components contained in the main material are melted and turned into a paste.

When a thermoplastic material is used as the main material, the modeling material is generated by plasticizing the material in the plasticizing section 30. "Plasticization" means that heat is applied to a thermoplastic material to melt it. "Melting" also means that a thermoplastic material is softened and develops fluidity by being heated to a temperature above its glass transition point.

As the material having thermoplasticity, for example, any one of the following thermoplastic resin materials or a combination of two or more thereof can be used.
<Examples of thermoplastic resin materials>
General-purpose engineering plastics such as polypropylene resin (PP), polyethylene resin (PE), polyacetal resin (POM), polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC), polyamide resin (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin (ABS), polylactic acid resin (PLA), polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene terephthalate; engineering plastics such as polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

The thermoplastic material may contain pigments, metals, ceramics, and other additives such as wax, flame retardants, antioxidants, and heat stabilizers. The thermoplastic material is plasticized in the plasticizing section 30 by the rotation of the flat screw 40 and the heating of the heating section 58, and is converted into a molten state. The modeling material thus produced is hardened by a decrease in temperature after being ejected from the nozzle 61.

It is desirable that the thermoplastic material be heated to or above its glass transition point and ejected from the nozzle 61 in a completely melted state. Note that "completely melted state" means a state in which there is no unmelted thermoplastic material present. For example, in the case of using pellet-shaped thermoplastic resin as the material, it means a state in which no pellet-shaped solids remain.

In the modeling unit 200, for example, the following metal materials may be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned thermoplastic material. In this case, it is preferable that a component that melts when the modeling material is generated is mixed with a powder material made by powdering the following metal materials, and the powder material is introduced into the plasticizing unit 30.
<Examples of metal materials>
A single metal such as magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), or nickel (Ni), or an alloy containing one or more of these metals.
<Alloy examples>
Maraging steel, stainless steel, cobalt chrome molybdenum, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum alloy, cobalt alloy, cobalt chrome alloy.

In the modeling section 200, a ceramic material can be used as the main material instead of the above-mentioned metal materials. Examples of ceramic materials that can be used include oxide ceramics such as silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide, and non-oxide ceramics such as aluminum nitride. When using the above-mentioned metal materials or ceramic materials as the main material, the modeling material placed on the stage 300 may be hardened by sintering using, for example, laser irradiation or hot air.

The powdered metallic or ceramic material fed into the material supply unit 20 may be a mixed material in which multiple types of powder of a single metal, alloy powder, or ceramic material powder are mixed together. The powdered metallic or ceramic material may be coated with, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as those exemplified above, or a different thermoplastic resin. In this case, the thermoplastic resin may be melted in the plasticizing unit 30 to exhibit fluidity.

For example, a solvent such as the following may be added to the powder material of the metal material or ceramic material fed into the material supply unit 20. The solvent may be one or a combination of two or more selected from the following.
<Examples of solvents>
water; (poly)alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; acetates such as ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethyl-n-butyl ketone, diisopropyl ketone, and acetylacetone; alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and butanol; tetraalkylammonium acetates; sulfoxide-based solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; pyridine-based solvents such as pyridine, γ-picoline, and 2,6-lutidine; tetraalkylammonium acetates (for example, tetrabutylammonium acetate, etc.); and ionic liquids such as butyl carbitol acetate.

In addition, the powdered metal or ceramic material fed into the material supply unit 20 may also contain a binder, for example, as described below.
<Example of binder>
Acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, cellulose-based resin or other synthetic resin, or PLA (polylactic acid), PA (polyamide), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PEEK (polyether ether ketone) or other thermoplastic resin.

B. Second embodiment:
12 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a state in which the first intermediate data MD1 is changed to the second intermediate data MD2 by the modeling data generation process in the second embodiment. The modeling data generation process in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the data generation unit 121 generates the second intermediate data MD2 by increasing the length and line width of each partial path represented in the first intermediate data MD1. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise described.

In this embodiment, the data generating unit 121 increases the length of the partial path by changing the positions of the start point and end point of the partial path so that the start point side of the partial path is extended by half the length of the line width W1 and the end point side of the partial path is extended by half the length of the line width W1, and further increases the line width W1 of the partial path to line width W2 according to a predetermined increase amount to generate the second intermediate data MD2. The increase amount of the line width may be set according to the degree of variation in the amount of modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61 of the three-dimensional modeling device 110. For example, in the three-dimensional modeling process, when the amount of modeling material discharged from the nozzle 61 varies by 5%, the increase amount of the line width may be set to 5%. The increase amount of the line width may be set according to the movement error of the nozzle 61 by the moving unit 400 of the three-dimensional modeling device 110.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the second intermediate data MD2 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 13, in the second intermediate data MD2 in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment shown in Figure 9, the gap regions RV1 to RV3 formed near the start and end points of each partial path Pi1 to Pi7 are removed, and further, the range of the gap region RV4 is reduced compared to the first embodiment.

Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the first intermediate data MD1. Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the second intermediate data MD2. As shown in Figure 14, in this example, the first intermediate data MD1 is generated so that each partial path Pi1 to Pi6 follows the inner circumference of the shell portion. In this example, gap regions RV1 to RV6 are formed. As shown in Figure 15, in the second intermediate data, the gap regions RV1 to RV5 formed near the start and end points of each partial path Pi1 to Pi6 have been removed, and further, the range of the gap region RV6 formed between each parallel partial path has been reduced.

According to the modeling data generation process of this embodiment described above, the data generation unit 121 generates second intermediate data by increasing the line width and length of each partial path represented in the first intermediate data, and executes the gap area identification process using the second intermediate data, so that the number and range of gap areas identified in the gap area identification process can be further reduced than in the first embodiment. In particular, in this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 increases the line width of each partial path, so that the number and area of gap areas formed between each partial path can be reduced.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the first intermediate data MD1 in the third embodiment. In the modeling data generation process in the third embodiment, the data generation unit 121 generates the first intermediate data by adding a semicircular region in which the modeling material is deposited to each end of each partial path Pi1 to Pi7, which is different from the first embodiment. In addition, in the modeling data generation process in the third embodiment, the data generation unit 121 generates the second intermediate data MD2 by changing the shape of the region represented in the first intermediate data MD1, which is different from the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment unless otherwise described. In this example, gap regions RV1 to RV8 are formed. Note that the shape of the above-mentioned region is not limited to a semicircular shape, and may be, for example, a triangular shape.

Figure 17 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic diagram of how the first intermediate data MD1 is changed to the second intermediate data MD2 by the modeling data generation process in this embodiment. In the modeling data generation process in this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 changes a semicircular region provided at the end of a partial path to a rectangular region. The data generation unit 121 changes the shape of the region so that the area of the region increases. In this embodiment, the data generation unit 121 changes a semicircular region having a radius half the line width W1 to a rectangular region having a length half the line width W1 and a width equal to the line width W1. By increasing the area of the region, the amount of modeling material deposited in the region increases.

Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the second intermediate data MD2 in this embodiment. In this example, the shape of the areas at the ends of each partial path Pi1 to Pi7 is changed, thereby removing the gap areas RV1 to RV7 and reducing the range of the gap area RV8.

According to the modeling data generation process of this embodiment described above, the data generation unit 121 can reduce the number and area of gap regions identified in the gap region identification process by changing the shape of the region at the end of each partial path where the modeling material is deposited. In particular, in this embodiment, the number and area of gap regions formed near the end of each partial path can be reduced without changing the length of each partial path. Note that this embodiment may be combined with the first or second embodiment. That is, the data generation unit 121 may change the length of each partial path and the shape of the region at the end of each partial path, or may change the length, line width, and shape of the region at the end of each partial path. The data generation unit 121 may also change the line width and shape of the region at the end of each partial path without changing the length of each partial path.

D. Other embodiments:
(D1) In the shaping data generation process of the second embodiment described above, the data generation unit 121 generates the second intermediate data by increasing the length and line width of each partial path represented in the first intermediate data. In contrast, the data generation unit 121 may generate the second intermediate data by increasing the line width without changing the length of each partial path represented in the first intermediate data.

(D2) In the modeling data generation process of the second embodiment described above, the data generation unit 121 may return the range of the gap area identified using the second intermediate data to the range represented in the first intermediate data, and then add an ejection path or change the line width of the ejection path adjacent to the gap area. In this case, it is possible to both prevent the process for filling the gap area from taking a long time and reduce the porosity of the three-dimensional object.

(D3) The function of the data generation unit 121 that executes the modeling data generation process of each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be incorporated into the control unit 500 of the three-dimensional modeling device 110. In this case, the three-dimensional modeling system 100 does not need to be equipped with an information processing device 120.

E. Other Forms:
The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

(1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers of a modeling material discharged from a discharge unit toward a stage, the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a first step of acquiring shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object, a second step of generating first intermediate data using the acquired shape data, the first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharge unit moves while discharging the modeling material and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path, a third step of generating second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so that an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, and specifying a gap region between the regions where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data, a fourth step of generating modeling data by modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the specified gap region, and a fifth step of modeling the three-dimensional object according to the modeling data.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the number and area of gap regions represented by the second intermediate data can be reduced compared to the gap regions represented by the first intermediate data generated using the shape data, so that the process from identifying the gap regions to generating the modeling data can be efficiently performed, thereby preventing the process for filling the gap regions from taking a long time.

(2) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of the above aspect, in the third step, the second intermediate data may be generated by modifying the route information of the first intermediate data so that the length of the route represented by the second intermediate data is longer than the length of the route represented by the first intermediate data.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, it is possible to reduce the number and area of gap regions that are identified at the ends of the path.

(3) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of the above aspect, in the third step, the second intermediate data may be generated by modifying the discharge amount information of the first intermediate data so that the width of the modeling material deposited on the path represented by the second intermediate data is wider than the width of the modeling material deposited on the path represented by the first intermediate data.
According to the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of this aspect, it is possible to reduce the number and area of gap regions defined between the paths.

(4) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of the above aspect, in the third step, the first intermediate data may be modified to generate the second intermediate data so that the shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path in accordance with the second intermediate data is a different type of shape from the shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path in accordance with the first intermediate data.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, it is possible to reduce the number and area of gap regions that are identified at the ends of the path.

(5) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the above aspect, in the fourth step, the path may be added to the gap region so that the modeling material is deposited in the gap region.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the addition of a path allows the modeling material to be deposited in the identified gap region, thereby reducing the porosity of the resulting three-dimensional object while preventing the process for filling the gap region from taking a long time.

(6) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object according to the above aspect, in the fourth step, the discharge amount in the path that sandwiches the gap region may be increased so that the modeling material is deposited in the gap region.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the amount of the modeling material discharged along the existing path is increased, so that the modeling material can be deposited in the identified gap region, thereby reducing the porosity of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured while preventing the process for filling the gap region from taking a long time.

(7) In the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object of the above aspect, in the fourth step, the gap area identified in the third step may be expanded to an area sandwiched between areas in which the modeling material is deposited in accordance with the first intermediate data, and the first intermediate data may be modified so that the modeling material is deposited in the expanded gap area.
According to this embodiment of the method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the gap regions are identified using the second intermediate data in which the number and area of the gap regions are reduced, and then the identified gap regions are restored to their original areas and then filled in. This makes it possible to more reliably reduce the porosity of the three-dimensional object to be manufactured while preventing the process for filling the gap regions from taking a long time.

(8) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device that generates modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking layers by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage. The information processing device includes a data generating unit that generates the modeling data by using shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object, the data generating unit uses the shape data to generate first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path, modifies the first intermediate data to generate second intermediate data such that an amount of the modeling material deposited according to second intermediate data is greater than an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, identifies a gap region between the regions where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data, and modifies the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data to generate the modeling data such that the modeling material is deposited in the identified gap region.
According to the information processing device of this embodiment, the number and area of the gap regions represented by the second intermediate data can be reduced compared to the gap regions represented by the first intermediate data generated using the shape data, so that the process from identifying the gap regions to generating the modeling data can be efficiently performed, thereby preventing the process of filling the gap regions from taking a long time.

The present disclosure can also be realized in various forms other than a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object. For example, it can be realized in the form of an information processing device, a three-dimensional modeling device, etc.

20...material supply section, 22...supply path, 30...plasticization section, 31...screw case, 32...driving motor, 40...flat screw, 41...upper surface, 42...groove forming surface, 43...side surface, 44...material inlet, 45...groove section, 46...ridge section, 47...center section, 50...barrel, 52...screw facing surface, 54...guide groove, 56...through hole, 58...heating section, 60...discharge section, 61...nozzle, 62...nozzle hole, 65...flow path, 70...opening/closing mechanism, 72...driving shaft, 73...valve body, 74...valve driving section, 100...three-dimensional modeling system, 110...three-dimensional modeling device, 120...information processing device, 121...data generation section, 200...modeling section, 300...stage, 310...modeling surface, 400...moving section, 500...control section

Claims (9)

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers of a modeling material discharged from a discharge unit toward a stage, the method comprising the steps of:
A first step of acquiring shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object;
a second step of generating, using the acquired shape data, first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path;
a third step of generating second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so that an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, and identifying a gap area between areas where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data;
a fourth step of generating modeling data by modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in an area where the modeling material is deposited according to the first intermediate data and in the identified gap area;
a fifth step of forming the three-dimensional object in accordance with the forming data;
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprising the steps of: A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by stacking layers of a modeling material discharged from a discharge unit toward a stage, the method comprising the steps of:
A first step of acquiring shape data representing a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object;
a second step of generating, using the acquired shape data, first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path;
a third step of generating second intermediate data by modifying the first intermediate data so that an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, and a shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path according to the second intermediate data is a different type of shape from a shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path according to the first intermediate data, and identifying a gap area sandwiched between areas where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data;
a fourth step of generating modeling data by modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the identified gap region;
a fifth step of forming the three-dimensional object in accordance with the forming data;
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprising the steps of: The method for producing a three-dimensional object according to claim 1 or 2,
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, in the third step, generating the second intermediate data by modifying the route information of the first intermediate data so that the length of the route represented by the second intermediate data is longer than the length of the route represented by the first intermediate data. A method for producing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , comprising the steps of:
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, in the third step, the second intermediate data is generated by modifying the discharge amount information of the first intermediate data so that the width of the modeling material deposited on the path represented by the second intermediate data is wider than the width of the modeling material deposited on the path represented by the first intermediate data. A method for producing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps of:
In the fourth step, the path is added to the gap region so that the building material is deposited in the gap region. A method for producing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of:
In the fourth step, the discharge amount is increased in the paths sandwiching the gap region so that the modeling material is deposited in the gap region. A method for producing a three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of:
In the fourth step,
Expanding the gap area identified in the third step to an area sandwiched between areas where the building material is deposited according to the first intermediate data;
A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, comprising modifying the first intermediate data so that the building material is deposited in the expanded gap region. An information processing device that generates modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object by stacking layers of a modeling material discharged from a discharge unit toward a stage,
a data generation unit that generates the modeling data by using shape data that represents a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object,
The data generation unit
using the shape data, generate first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path;
modifying the first intermediate data so that an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than an amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, thereby generating the second intermediate data, and identifying a gap region sandwiched between regions in which the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data;
generating the modeling data by modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the area where the modeling material is to be deposited according to the first intermediate data and in the identified gap area;
Information processing device. An information processing device that generates modeling data for forming a three-dimensional object by discharging a modeling material from a discharging unit toward a stage and stacking layers, the information processing device comprising:
a data generation unit that generates the modeling data by using shape data that represents a three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional object,
The data generation unit
using the shape data, generate first intermediate data having path information representing a path along which the discharging unit moves while discharging the modeling material, and discharge amount information representing a discharge amount of the modeling material on the path;
modifying the first intermediate data to generate the second intermediate data so that the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the second intermediate data is greater than the amount of the modeling material deposited according to the first intermediate data, and the shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path according to the second intermediate data is a different type of shape from the shape of the modeling material deposited at the end of the path according to the first intermediate data; and identifying a gap area sandwiched between areas where the modeling material is deposited according to the second intermediate data;
modifying the first intermediate data or the second intermediate data so that the modeling material is deposited in the identified gap region to generate the modeling data;
Information processing device.